UPDATE: State of North Dakota offering FREE motel and bus rides for #NoDAPL protesters that leave the camp

MORE UPDATED INFO at the end of this article.

UPDATE: Cecily Fong, the Public Information Officer, for ND Emergency Services confirms the information below via email.

According to Fong, the state of North Dakota is offering some free services to protesters who leave the #NoDAPL camps. She says the hope is that those who do not have the resources to leave the camp before tomorrow's emergency evacuation deadline, but do not have the resources to do so will use this offer.

The plan is still waiting on final confirmation, but some of these offers may include a motel room, bus ride from the camp to Bismarck/Mandan area, food voucher, gas cards, and a one-way ticket for a bus ride back to their original home. This is predominantly for the protesters that do not have the means to leave the camp on their own.

The state is doing what they can to help people leave the camp peacefully in order to allow for a safe and peaceful evacuation by 2pm tomorrow.

Fong tells us that even though this may seem unfair to North Dakota taxpayers, the hope is that if the protests get wrapped up now, it will save money in the long run.

Travel Assistance Center Established for Protesters

Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Human Services, North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and the North Dakota Department of Health have partnered to set up a travel assistance center. This free service will provide protesters with support as they prepare for their return home.

The transportation assistance center will offer personal kits, water and snacks, health/wellness assessments, bus fare for a return trip home, a food voucher, hotel lodging for one night, and a taxi voucher to the bus terminal.

Transportation will be provided from the protest camp to the assistance center.

All camp residents are encouraged to take advantage of these amenities.

Greetings,

If you don’t have means to return home, you can receive a ride to the Travel Assistance Center in Bismarck, where you will receive:

· Free health and wellness check-up

· Personal hygiene kit

· Voucher for a one-night stay at a designated hotel in Bismarck

· One $15 meal voucher for Kroll’s Diner in north Bismarck

· Ride voucher from the hotel to the Bismarck Bus Depot the next morning.

· Jefferson Lines bus ticket (Good for non-local destination. Must be in the lower 48 states.)

After you receive your supplies, you will be given a ride from the Travel Assistance Center to the designated hotel.

NOTE: No pets will be allowed.